Once again relaxing on our deck, sipping peppermint tea, we discussed today's Gospel reading-Lazarus and the Rich Man. We agreed that, though we may not be rich in possessions, we do have so much for which we thank our God. True gratitude instills joy that can only come from within us.

Picturing Lazarus lying at the Rich Man’s door, the thought came to us that not everyone is hungry for food alone. So many people are starving for the love and acceptance that only we can give. Every person has infinite value. Each is loved by God and each is needed for God’s plan. The deepest joy we can attain comes from helping someone who needs to be encouraged—lifted up. If the Rich Man had reached out to Lazarus, he would have experienced the joy of fulfilling the purpose of God in his life.

To act like Jesus, we need to go that extra mile and do a little more than we have to. This may mean to stretch ourselves beyond what is comfortable by following the promptings of the Holy Spirit and being a blessing to others.

To live joyfully is a conscious decision. We decided that today we will each try to do something new—we will reach out to someone we don’t know with a smile, a friendly greeting and a caring heart.

Joyfully
Gene and Anna May 

IN OBSERVANCE OF COLUMBUS DAY

THE SCHOOL AND RECTORY  WILL BE CLOSED,
MONDAY, OCTOBER 8TH

As a Parish Community we pray…For those who serve in elected offices. May they use their authority to protect the unborn and promote dignity of the poor and vulnerable.

Our sincere sympathy to the family of
Anna Gonzales
who died recently

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

On Saturday, October 6th, and on each First Saturday of every month, we have the privilege of celebrating Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass and continuing until 10 a.m. The Eucharist is truly a Sacrament of Love—a Sacrament that not only demonstrates Jesus’ love for each of us; but gives us the grace we need to love God and our neighbor. Jesus longs to be with us in the Eucharist. He is waiting!

CONSOLATION MINISTRY

Saint Robert’s Grief Support Group will hold a meeting on September 29th in the Convent Chapel from 3-:15 p.m. (before the 4:30 p.m. Mass). Anyone who is suffering from the loss of a loved one-spouse, sibling, child, parent, friend or relative is invited to come and pray share, comfort and be comforted. You are invited to bring a companion as for support and strength. God bless and comfort you in your sorrow. Call, Sister Patricia 589-0104 or any of the consolation Ministry Committee.

Consolation Ministry Committee meets after the 8:30 a.m. Mass in Mary’s Chapel on the first Wednesday of every month. If you are interested, you are welcome to join us.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
Saturday, October 6th

At 11 a.m., in the parking lot, Deacon Duffey will bless each animal & even give some a hug, (maybe). So please join us as we pray, sing and ask God to bless the little creatures that we so love. Refreshments will be served.
The Children’s Liturgy Team

GROWNUPS COMMUNION BREAKFAST

The Grownup’s Communion Breakfast will be held in Hennessy Hall after the 11:30 am Mass on October 14th and will be catered by the In-Betweener’s. Tickets will be sold after all the Masses the weekend of September 29 & 30 and October 6 & 7. The price is $12.50 per person. Call for tickets: Dolores Johnson, Dolores Moynihan, or Vera Hannon.

IN SUPPORT OF CAREGIVERS

Our quarterly gathering for anyone who cares for a parent, spouse, relative or special needs child – part-time or full-time – will take place Saturday, October 6 from 8:30 am to 1 pm in the convent chapel. We’ll pray, share the challenges and blessings of caregiving and enjoy lunch together. Please look for a flier at the one of the church entrances. If you have questions or to register, please call Sr. Patricia at 589-0204 or Sr. Sheral at 589-2800.

MARRIED COUPLES

You can celebrate your Marriage by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend, November 9th-11th in Burlingame. It’s a positive, simple, common sense, private experience between husband and wife that revitalizes marriage. For more information, go to sf.lovemoredeeply.org. or call Paul and Yvonne at (650) 366-7093.

If you are new to St. Robert’s, we ask that you complete a registration form found in the vestibule of the church. Drop it either in the collection basket, the mail, or at the parish office. We will send you a New Parishioner Packet with information about the parish, its organizations and groups. If you chose, you can register online at: www.saintroberts.org.

HIGH ROLLER RAFFLE WINNERS

Ed Taylor
Ben Baldonado
Joe Simpson
Sherman Heaney
Stephanie Ruane

RAFFLE WINNERS

Grand Prize—Carol DeGraca
First Prize—Robert M. Johnson
Second Prize—Rob & Cathy Aveson
Third Prize—Adriana Klingensmith
Fourth Prize—Marisa Portelli
Fifth Prize—Georgia Dempsey
Sixth Prize—Teresa Nussbaum
Seventh Prize—Gus Cantoni

  
If you feel as though Luke’s community talks a lot about rich people and poor people, you’re right. It is one of the characteristics of this gospel. It may be difficult to hear for many of us who don’t struggle with providing the basic necessities for ourselves and our families. It is tempting to spiritualize the message, so we don’t have to deal with it honestly. The rich man didn’t do anything terrible to Lazarus, he just ignored him. (We might wonder how, day after day, he could pass by without being moved by Lazarus’ plight.) And yet…Aren’t we like him when we see the poor of Darfur or San Francisco or the Iraqi refugees and do nothing? Sometimes, we feel overwhelmed and that feeling paralyzes us. But we need to do something.

I have a suggestion. Gather your household; if you live alone, you might do this with a friend. Ask the Spirit (and perhaps, a financial advisor) to guide you to figure out what you need financially. Charity and justice begin at home, so take into consideration the needs of those you are bound to provide for. Then figure out how much you can regularly share with the poor. You might want to go to www.charitynavigator.org to see which groups respond to the needs about which you are most passionate. The site will also let you know which ones spend the least on overhead and provide the most help to the poor. Decide which of the many groups you wish to support and then do so.

If you get 3 or 4 begging letters a week as I do, you might want to prepare a note to send back to them. Acknowledge the good work they do, let them know you already support many groups, but since you cannot support every good cause, ask them to remove you from their mailing list. I also promise to pray for them and the people they are helping. I hate to think of what it costs them to keep sending me notices in vain. I’ll let you know if my request to them helps!

Some parishioners have sent me a reminder of a no-cost way to help the poor. While you’re on the computer, visit www.thehungersite.org and click the “Give Free Food” button (once a day per person) which will provide a cup of fortified food to a hungry person. Paid for by site sponsors, the food is distributed by Second Harvest and Mercy Corps. Why not help the one billion of the world’s people who face chronic hunger? Of the 24,000 who die daily, 75% are children. This site has links for free mammograms for poor women, literacy assistance and other efforts. Most sites have a store where purchases also benefit the poor. If your children and grandchildren have computers, please pass this on to them! If you don’t have a computer of your own, perhaps, you could use one in the library. “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers [and sisters] of mine, you did it to me.” Matt. 25.40

Peace, S. Sheral

SUNDAY COLLECTION

Thank you for your generous donation of $4,302.70
to the Priest’s Retirement Fund.

    
SIGN UP FOR E-CONTRIBUTIONS

Go to www.saintroberts.org and click on the e-contributions button. The first page explains the details. There is a button to take you to the e-paluch registration page. You can register online using either your checking account or credit card.

There is no cost to you for this service.

2007 CENTERPLATE SIGN UP

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Mass

Sunday, 7:30 a.m. Mass

Sunday, 5:00 p.m. Mass